Spokesman: Iran to Replace Damaged Centrifuges in Natanz with New Generation Machines

“The unfortunate incident that took place at Natanz has repeatedly been admitted by the Zionist regime, and various sources confirm that the regime was behind it. I am glad that there was no human or environmental damage, but it could have led to a catastrophe that is a crime against humanity, which is typical of the arrogant nature of the regime,” Khatibzadeh told reporters in a press conference on Monday.

“All decommissioned centrifuges are of IR-1 type (the primary series of centrifuges developed by Iran) and will be replaced with new centrifuges. With this action, the Quds occupying regime attempted to take revenge from the Iranian people for their patience and wise behavior on the way of lifting sanctions. Iran’s response is revenge against the regime in a due time and place,” he added.

Khatibzadeh underlined what happened in Natanz which damaged Iran’s centrifuges will cause new achievements and more progress for Iran, adding that the incident can neither hold back the country’s indigenous knowledge, nor block its unchangeable policy on removing the US sanctions.

Spokesman for the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) Behrouz Kamalvandi told FNA on Sunday that an incident took place in a part of the electricity distribution network of Shahid Ahmadi Roshan facility in Natanz, adding, “Fortunately, the incident did not cause any human injuries or pollution.”

The spokesman stressed that the causes of the accident are under investigation and further information will be announced later.

The Natanz Fuel Enrichment Plant, covering 100,000 square meters and built eight meters underground, is one of several Iranian facilities.

AEOI Head Ali Akbar Salehi said on Sunday that his country reserves the right to act against perpetrators of the recent Natanz incident.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran reserves its right to act against the perpetrators of this heinous move,” Salehi said in reference to the incident that occurred at the electricity network of Natanz nuclear facility.

He added that the incident shows the enemies of Iran’s industrial progress have failed to prevent the significant development of its nuclear industry.

“The move also indicates the failure of opponents of the Islamic Republic of Iran in recent nuclear talks for the lifting oppressive and cruel US sanctions imposed against the country,” the nuclear official noted.

“While condemning this heinous move, the Islamic Republic of Iran calls on the international community and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to deal with perpetrators of this nuclear terrorism,” Salehi stated.

Also, Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said that his country will take due measure against Israel for sabotage against its nuclear activities, adding that Natanz facility will be constructed stronger than before.

“Iran will not allow them [Israelis] and will take revenge for these actions on the Zionists,” Zarif said, and stressed that Natanz nuclear facility will continue its work with stronger building and machines.

He made the remarks in his meeting with the members of the Iranian Parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Committee on Monday, saying that this act will strengthen Iran’s position in the negotiations.

The minister stressed the need for proper protection of facilities and nuclear scientists.

Zarif said that the Israeli officials had explicitly stated that they would not allow progress in lifting the oppressive sanctions but they will be responded to by further nuclear progress.

“The negotiating parties should know that if they used to face enrichment facilities with first-generation machines, now Natanz can be full of advanced centrifuges with multiple enrichment capacities,” he went on to say.